[Assam] Magh Bihu in Delhi

[Dilip Deka]

Manoj,
Congratulations, you guys did it on a grand scale.
We Houstonians celebrated on a lot smaller scale at a park near Johnson Space Center. Despite the all day rain, we had a Meji in an urn inside a park shelter. The sixty odd participants brought the Bhwg (as in Bhwgali) in the form of Bora Saul/Doi/Gur, Pitha, Tilor Laru, Masor Tenga etc. Since it was wet and cold outside, we had to give up on outdoor activities and fun.
Keep it up.
Dilipda

--- On Mon, 1/17/11, Manoj Das <dasmk2k at gmail.com> wrote:


From: Manoj Das <dasmk2k at gmail.com>
Subject: [Assam] Magh Bihu in Delhi
To: "A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the world" <assam at assamnet.org>
Date: Monday, January 17, 2011, 10:38 AM


*January 17, 2011*



Magh Bihu Celebrations in Delhi





Assam Association, Delhi celebrated the Magh Bihu Festival with traditional
fervour at the Central Civil Secretariat Grounds at Chanakyapuri on
16thJanuary. The celebrations began with
*Uruka* (the eve) which was celebrated on Saturday, 15th January.



A grand *bihutoli* was set up elaborately along with a stage for the 1200
guests. The *bihu bhoj* (feast) was prepared throughout the night with
chefs/cooks toiling to churn out the tastiest *masor tenga jul*, *murhi
ghanto*, chicken curry, *bengena bhaja*, *payax* etc. *Ghila pitha*
and *Bundiya
Bhujiya*, which are typical Assamese snacks, were arranged to give the feel
of being back home. A ‘*meji*’ was erected with bamboo and firewood, and to
be set afire on Sunday morning to bid goodbye to the harsh winter of Delhi.



Early on Sunday morning the Association’s flag was unfurled by Dr. Ranjit
Baruah, President. The Assamese patriotic song “*O Mor Aponar dexh… O mor
chikunir dexh………*” was sung with great patriotic zeal, making adrenalin gush
through the veins of the ‘*probaxi kharkhoowas*’.



After that, the Chief Guest, Mr Hari Sankar Brahma, Election Commissioner of
India, was greeted. The Guest of Honour, Justice Dr Mukunda Kam Sharma,
Justice of the Supreme Court of India, was received thereafter. Mr Brahma
lit the ‘*meji*’ amidst chanting of mantras and invocations. Justice Sharma
released the “*Samayik*”, the association periodical, which is in its
21styear of continuous publication. Mr Hiron Dutta introduced the
contents.
*Samayik* is the medium of communication among the members of the
association and a means of cultivating literary traditions among the
members.



The day was also celebrated as the ‘annual sports and activities’ day. The
children’s painting competition commenced from 10:30 am, followed by a
football match between *President’s 11* and *General Secretary’s 11*. The
team members were amazingly sporting and of all ages. Races too were held –
children participated in running while the not-so-young ladies and gentlemen
participated in walking races. “*Tekeli Bhanga*” (the challenge of breaking
a clay pot blindfolded), tug of war etc. were other hilarious competitions
that extracted loud cheers from onlookers.



The ‘Who’s who’ of the Assamese society of NCR turned up for the Annual
event. Artists, Journalists, Bureaucrats, Entrepreneurs, Students,
Homemakers - they were all there and in large numbers.



The games and sports-events had culminated by 2:30 pm. Food was laid out and
people queued up in an orderly manner. After lunch a game of an Assamese
version of ‘Antakshari’ was held. It was followed by the Prize distribution
ceremony for the events held during the day. The President of the
Association, Vice Presidents, Manoj K Das and Rumi Sarmah and GS, Tridib
Saikia, gave away the prizes. Students who had scored more than 90% in XII-
Board examinations were also felicitated; they were Ms Priyanka Das (95%)
and Mr Chandan Jyoti Sarmah (93%).



Later, a local Bihu team charged up the atmosphere with twists and turns of
the spring dance. An impromptu dacing frenzy broke out, as is the norm. The
celebrations ended with a round of tambola after the evening tea. It was
another successful and memorable yearly event. General Secretary, Mr Tridib
Saikia presented the vote of thanks to all the sponsors and persons who made
the event possible through their generous monetary help or contributions in
kind.



The participation has seen a steady increase by the day, in this festival of
harvest and of the declaration of the termination of winter, with the
‘Uttarayan’ of the Sun. The busy schedule of Delhiites limits social
contact, but this bihu-fest provides an opportunity to meet and exchange
notes on an annual basis that no one likes to miss.



Delhi has an Assamese population of nearly 100,000 who are making their
presence felt in various professional and social spheres. Delhi is the
hottest destination of the young Assamese seeking quality education and
career opportunities. The city’s heterogeneous ambience makes one adapt
quickly. It’s also nearer home and is hospitable and expanding radially in
the NCR, providing scope for a roof to everyone.

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